Police seize drugs worth more than $5M

[Euphoric]

31 suspects arrested in pre-dawn GTA raids; cash, cars and condos also confiscated
Aug 01, 2008 04:30 AM

With the completion of a second major drug bust in as many months, police are closing the spigot on a pipeline pouring illegal drugs into the GTA and millions of dollars into drug dealers' hands.

In a series of pre-dawn raids yesterday, about 200 GTA officers executed 50 warrants in homes, storage lockers and vehicles in Toronto and elsewhere in southern Ontario, arresting 31 people and netting over $5 million worth of drugs.

Last Sunday in Etobicoke, detectives also intercepted a transport truck ferrying 20 kilograms of cocaine from Vancouver to Toronto.

Since January, officers have discovered several similar shipments en route to the GTA from Montreal.

"If it is the drug of choice it's not available in Toronto," Drug Squad Staff Insp. John Tanouye said. "It's not available like it has been in the past."

Crystal methamphetamine and ecstasy pills are often sent to the cities in British Columbia and Quebec in exchange for cocaine in a sort of criminal barter system, which makes up for local shortages resulting from police seizures.

Yesterday's sweep is the second large-scale effort since June to take down an organization by arresting alleged members from high-level distributors to street-level dealers.

Officers arrested 36 suspected members of a drug ring in June and prior to that police dismantled the biggest meth lab ever found in Toronto.

Yesterday, Project Cabra officers not only seized merchandise and but also profits.

Detectives took custody of three pricey condominium units in Toronto, 18 luxury cars, including a Range Rover, a BMW and a Mercedes and $400,000 cash.

"It was all $100 bills, more than I'd ever seen," said Proceeds of Crime Det. Sgt. David Vickers. "It was quite a lucrative business."

Toronto Police joined forces with officers in Peel, York, London and Waterloo, Ont., and Canada Customs to make the arrests yesterday.

Those arrested range in age from 20 to 56 and at least 26 of the 31 suspects collectively face more than 100 criminal charges including trafficking, weapons offences and conspiracy to traffic.

While there is some evidence, police said, that some drugs were destined for the United States, most were likely intended to be sold in Toronto's Entertainment District.

During a news conference yesterday, officers displayed dozens of bags of drugs from the seizures: 31 kilograms of cocaine worth $3.1 million, 4 kilograms of ecstasy valued at $400,000, 4 kilograms crystal methamphetamine worth $200,000, 5 kilograms of marijuana worth $20,000, lesser amounts of Viagra, GHB and steroids and 6 kilograms of heroin valued at $1.8 million.

Seasoned drug squad officers said the heroin, found in a residence, is the largest single stash they've seen outside the airport or a ship in 20 years.

"We are seeing something new here," Tanouye said. "It's a significant seizure not typically done at this level."

http://www.thestar.com/article/470907

[FrankenChrist]

What is this GTA, please?

[old hippie 56]

Figured it might mean 'the greater Toronto area'

[Euphoric]

Originally Posted by old hippie 56

Figured it might mean 'the greater Toronto area'

That is correct.